Air Canada adding direct PR/Montreal route in Dec.

Air Canada doubling the frequency from Toronto to San Juan with two weekly flights.

Starting Dec. 17, Air Canada will open a Montreal-San Juan route, offering customers the option of a direct flight on Saturdays, company officials announced Thursday. In addition to the new route, the carrier is adding a second weekly flight to Toronto starting Nov. 19.

“Air Canada is pleased with the expansion of its services to Puerto Rico in the coming winter season,” said Alex Pittman, sales director for Latin America and the Caribbean for Air Canada.

In addition to establishing a new weekly route between Montreal and the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, “we’re doubling the frequency from Toronto to two weekly flights, which in turn increases our capacity by 165 percent compared to last year,” the executive said.

“This reflects the attractiveness and popularity of Puerto Rico among Canadian travelers while offering Puerto Rico customers the opportunity to travel to Canada or making international flight connections via Toronto and Montreal,” he said.

The flights strengthen Puerto Rico’s position as a Caribbean hub for the international markets, and will help draw more tourits by providing direct access routes, said Puerto Rico Tourism Co. Executive Director Ingrid Rivera.